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“I know.” I sniffled, and couldn’t prevent the deluge. I started to cry. “This night could have gone totally differently. The baby… Conway…”
“But it didn’t. We’re really damn lucky so I’m going to bed. I’m exhausted.” Cash slapped his hands on his thighs, gave a hefty sigh, and dragged himself out of the chair.
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.
MacKay surprised me by reaching out and pulling me to him. I didn’t hesitate to lean against his chest. I needed his strength, his support. It was selfish, I knew it, but he was offering and I needed to accept it. He was right. We weren’t meant to be alone. I wasn’t meant to be alone. I didn’t like it.
He kissed the top of my head and I wiped my eyes on the sleeve of my sweatshirt.
“I can’t believe I have to play tomorrow,” Cash said. “Good thing it’s a home game.”
“You’re still going to play?” I asked, astonished.
“Of course.” He took a couple of steps toward the stairs.
Was Cash actually going to go to bed without commenting on me and MacKay?
Nope.
Cash stopped, turned, and waved his hands at us. “Whatever this is, I’m too tired to care right now, but I will say this. I think y’all are crazy considering you work together.”
“We’re friends,” I said.
“He’s my friend too and I’ve never once thought about cuddling on the couch with him.”
“I was upset and worried and he was comforting me.”
“Under a blanket?”
“What? No,” I said. “Of course not.” For once we hadn’t been doing anything sexual.
Cash shook his head. “He’s your boss,” he said.
MacKay finally spoke. “Her friendship is more important to me than being her boss is. I care a lot about Faith. I want you to know that, because I respect our friendship as well, Cash.”
For a second, Cash narrowed his eyes, like he was going to dig deeper into the whole matter. But then he just shook his head and kicked his shoes off. “At least you’re not that bartender she hooked up with at my wedding. That guy was a tool.”
Really?
I wanted to defend my taste in men. I would never hook up with a tool. I didn’t even remember the bartender. But if I protested, it wouldn’t take Cash long to figure out who I actually had hooked up with and I had promised MacKay I wouldn’t say anything.
Besides, we were all emotionally drained. Now wasn’t the time.
Cash started up the stairs to his bedroom. He paused on the second step and looked back at us. “It’s late. You can stay here Mac, but on the couch. Faith is going to her room. Understood?”
“Yeah, man. Understood. You have my word.”
It was heavy handed. I didn’t need to be sent to my room like a teenager. Nor should Cash be telling MacKay that I’d hooked up with a bartender. Which I hadn’t. But he clearly thought I had, which meant he was revealing my private life to MacKay. It was a good thing Cash had earned a pass tonight or he’d be getting an earful from me.
Then I thought about why Cash was overprotective. It was because he loved me.
I would never want a life without my family.
As Cash climbed the stairs, I stood up. “Do you need a better pillow or more blankets?” I asked MacKay.
He shook his head. “I’m fine. Goodnight, Faith.”
“Goodnight.”
